Vladimir Kulich Talks w/411 About Grave Walkers, Film vs. TV, More

Vladimir Kulich is a well-known character actor who has been working in Hollywood since 1989. He has worked extensively in both movies and television, with appearances in movies like The 13th Warrior (that’s probably his best known performance, as Buliwyf), Firestorm, and The Equalizer (among others) and TV shows like Vikings, Angel, and The X-Files. He appears as Sheriff Pete in the horror-comedy Grave Walkers, which is set to debut on home video soon from Tombstone Distribution and Archstone Distribution (check out my review of that flick here). He was nice enough to take time out of his very busy schedule to answer a few questions about his life, acting, the movie Grave Walkers, and more.

And be on the lookout below for one of the greatest answers to any question ever asked by anyone ever.

Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get into acting?

Vladimir Kulich: I started acting at 4 years old running pitchers of beer to my uncle between acts at the state theatre of Czechoslovakia. Eventually he dressed me up, gave me a spear to hold and a line to speak…” Your majesty, young Hamlet arrives…”

BK:What did you do before you became an actor?

VK: Before acting I grew up in Montreal and spent some time at the notorious reform schools called Shawbridge and Waredale House. I learned to play hockey and how to fight. Waredale was across the street from the old Montreal Forum. As kids we would sneak in to watch the Montreal Canadiens practice. Eventually I became friends with player/coach John Ferguson who gave me a shot with the NY Rangers when he was the coach. I was a better fighter than skater so I was sent to the minors. At the end of that first year I traded my skates for a Harley and never looked back.

BK:You’ve worked extensively in both film and television. What’s the difference between working in film as opposed to television?

VK: The main difference between film and TV is the time available to set up and perform the scenes. There is more time to create on a film so usually it allows for better results and the screen is bigger so every flaw can show.

BK:Do you have a preference between film and television or is it all pretty much the same?

VK: I prefer film. It feels like you’re sculpting a Michelangelo instead of whittling a stick.

BK:How did Grave Walkers come about? Did you have to audition for the movie or were you offered a role in the film?

VK:Grave Walkers was an offer from Bruce (executive producer Bruce Kirschenbaum). He is a 13th Warrior fan and Tony and I go back a long way (Silence).

BK:Grave Walkers is a very cool, very weird horror movie. Did it seem like a weird horror movie when you first read the script or did it sort of become weird when it was finished?

VK:GW wasn’t weird in script form. It was very, very funny. Ari has a good touch with comedy. It only became weird when the zombie extras from Raleigh, NC showed up.

BK:What was it like working with modern horror movie icon Tony Todd?

VK: Tony and I had the same agent for years and have worked together before in Kansas City so it was an easy time for us. Funny but knowing Tony over the years it never occurs to me that he is a Horror Star. He’s just Tony to me.

BK:What was it like working with writer-director Ari Kirschenbaum?

VK: Ari is very talented. He knows his shots because he wrote the script. That being said, if I was to make a critical point it would be to advise him to trust his writing as he is shooting.

BK:What was the hardest scene for you, personally, to accomplish in Grave Walkers?

VK: I guess the most challenging part for me on GW was to play Pete in a low, calm manner so everyone else can play it over the top. Pete is the glue that holds it together.

BK:If it was possible, would you be interested in doing a Grave Walkers sequel?

VK: Grave Walkers 2 We B Coming for You!

BK: What was it like working with Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua in The Equalizer?

VK: Denzel and Antoine are very tight but they were very supportive, especially when Denzel had to swallow his pride at my manliness in the shower scene.

BK: So far, what is your personal favorite performance in a movie? In television?

BK: In the world of acting/entertainment, what haven’t you had the chance to do yet that you would love for a chance to do?

VK: I would love to shoot a romantic scene with a hot French actress making out at a famous Parisian Cafe.

BK: This may sound like a weird question, but do you have any passions outside of acting?

VK: My passion outside of acting: I have a collection of Harleys and I ride the hell out of them.

BK: Any upcoming projects that we should be on the lookout for?

VK: I’ve started shooting the very first episode of Training Day for CBS. It’s based on the film of the same name.

I want to, again, thank Vladimir Kulich for taking time out of his very busy schedule to participate in this interview. I also want to thank david j. moore for helping set it up.
Check out Vladimir Kulich’s website here.
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